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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 GLOSSIES 
13

Kennedy Drinking Again: Book

Family fighting over Lion's legacy

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(Newser) – Ted Kennedy’s grim health prognosis has driven him to drink, according to Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died, a new book from longtime Kennedy scribe Edward Klein. In an excerpt in Vanity Fair, Klein says Kennedy’s wife moved him to Florida after the seizure because his Hyannis friends were slipping him booze. Unnamed sources also say he was drinking the night before he collapsed on Inauguration Day.

Kennedy’s declining health also set off dynastic infighting. The family assumed wife Vicki, niece Caroline or nephew Joe would take up Ted’s Senate mantle. Joe “sees himself as the only serious heir apparent,” a source says, and everyone considers Vicki “an interloper.” Ted favored Caroline, and convinced her to pursue the New York opening. She withdrew from that race when her children intervened.

Former US Rep. Joe Kennedy arrives with his wife Beth at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, May 18, 2008, where his uncle Ted Kennedy was hospitalized.
Former US Rep. Joe Kennedy arrives with his wife Beth at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, May 18, 2008, where his uncle Ted Kennedy was hospitalized.   (AP Photo)
Caroline Kennedy attends the
Caroline Kennedy attends the "Armani 5th Avenue" store opening party Feb. 17, 2009, in New York.   (AP Photo)
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Barack Obama speaks on health reform at the White House, March 5, 2009.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., listens as President Barack Obama speaks on health reform at the White House, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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13 comments
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MrsK
May 5, 09 4:22 PM CDT
Big surprise. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
freethemall
May 5, 09 4:59 PM CDT
Come on now MrsK, he has, what is in all likely hood, terminal brain cancer. If he's hurting no one else, why does it matter if he imbibes? As far as I'm concerned, he's entitled.
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northeast
May 5, 09 4:47 PM CDT
Wait, so did he ever stop drinking? I had always just assumed that he was....you know...Ted Kennedy. Reply
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-1
Rob
May 5, 09 5:41 PM CDT
Heir apparent, huh? Reply
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0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 5, 09 6:11 PM CDT
Yes Northeast... He's just Ted Kennedy, and he has plenty of past reasons to keep drunk. Reply
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+2

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